Spotlight on Parkinson’s

Overview

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that impacts the brain and body. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and it is likely that both genetic and environmental factors play a part.

The main symptoms include slowness when moving, tremor, and rigidity or a feeling of muscle stiffness. There are many other more subtle symptoms that may occur, including changes to speech, memory, mood, swallowing, processing of thoughts and disturbed sleep.

How neuro physio can help:

Neuro physio can help with balance, strength, flexibility, posture and mobility. It can also help with strategies to assist with problems such as freezing when walking.

In the early stages, assessment, education and advice can help reduce the impact of Parkinson’s. This is tailored to your own situation and may include physical activity, and working with any balance or movement problems.

As time passes, you may have more difficulties with movement. Neuro physio can guide you with the right stretches, strengthening, posture and balance exercises and use various strategies to help you move as well as possible.

As the condition progresses, neuro physio can support you in remaining as active and independent as possible. This includes working on problems such as turning in bed, walking, sitting down and standing up. I can also advise on any equipment that may help.

There may be an increased risk of falls, and neuro physio can help with problems such as walking, turning and freezing. The worry about having a fall can also be helped by building confidence.

What people say:

“My husband who has had Parkinson’s for more than 13 years had a hip operation at the end of June. We were advised to look for a neuroligical physiotherapist to help with his hip recovery.

We were lucky enough to find Anne and indeed my husband has definitely benefitted from her awareness of the effect that Parkinson’s has on his body and has always given him a range of exercises not only to strengthen his hip post op but also to work on the lack of flexibility in the rest of his body.

She was also sensitive to him having on and off days (a feature of Parkinson’s) and would always adapt his programme according to how he was on any particular day.

He has now finished his sessions with Anne but still uses the varied exercises which Anne provided us with.“

(client’s wife and carer)